There is nothing more comforting than the aroma of a freshly baked, buttery dinner rolls recipe filling your home. These rolls are unbelievably soft, incredibly fluffy, and brushed with melted butter for a golden, savory finish. Forget the store-bought kind; this recipe is surprisingly simple and yields bakery-quality results that will impress everyone at your table. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this guide will help you achieve the perfect pull-apart rolls every time.
Why This is the Only Dinner Rolls Recipe You’ll Ever Need
We’ve tested and tweaked this recipe to perfection, ensuring it’s foolproof for the enthusiastic home cook. What makes it stand out?
- Unbelievably Fluffy Texture: The combination of bread flour and whole milk creates a tender, cloud-like crumb that melts in your mouth.
- Rich, Buttery Flavor: We use real butter in the dough and brush more on top after baking for an irresistible, savory taste.
- Simple, No-Fail Method: The steps are broken down into easy-to-manage stages, from activating the yeast to the final golden bake. This is a foundational dough that’s a great stepping stone to making other breads like our homemade garlic knots.
The Essential Ingredients for Fluffy Dinner Rolls
The key to this amazing dinner rolls recipe lies in using the right ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that signature soft texture and rich flavor.
- Bread Flour: Higher in protein than all-purpose flour, it provides the structure needed for a high, fluffy rise.
- Active Dry Yeast: This is the leavening agent that makes the rolls rise and creates their airy texture.
- Whole Milk: Adds richness, moisture, and flavor. The fat content contributes to a softer crumb.
- Unsalted Butter: Provides flavor and tenderness. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level perfectly.
- Granulated Sugar: A touch of sugar feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness that balances the flavors.
- Egg: One large egg enriches the dough, adding color, flavor, and structure.
- Salt: Essential for flavor and for controlling the yeast’s activity.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Dinner Rolls from Scratch
Follow these detailed steps carefully for the best homemade dinner rolls. The process is straightforward and incredibly rewarding.
- Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, gently whisk together the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy and fragrant. This proves your yeast is active and ready.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the melted butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture and whisk to combine.
- Add Flour & Mix: Gradually add the bread flour, mixing with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. If using a stand mixer, knead on medium-low speed for 6-8 minutes.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Rolls: Gently deflate the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place them in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the pan and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes, until they are puffy and touching each other.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the tops of the rolls with an egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon of water). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown.
- Finishing Touch: As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them generously with more melted butter. This adds flavor and keeps the crust soft.
Pro Tips for Bakery-Quality Results
A few extra details can take your homemade dinner rolls from great to absolutely spectacular.
- Check Your Milk Temperature: Ensure your milk is warm (around 110°F / 43°C), not hot. If it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast.
- Proper Kneading is Key: Don’t cut the kneading time short. This develops the gluten, which is essential for a fluffy, chewy texture.
- The “Windowpane Test”: You’ll know the dough is perfectly kneaded when you can stretch a small piece thin enough to see light through it without it tearing.
- Use an Egg Wash: For that classic shiny, golden-brown top, don’t skip the egg wash before baking.
What to Serve with Your Homemade Dinner Rolls
These rolls are the perfect side for a huge variety of meals. They are fantastic for soaking up sauces and rounding out a hearty dinner. Try them alongside a comforting French onion pot roast, a creamy chicken gnocchi soup, or a generous helping of classic homemade mashed potatoes.
Storing and Freezing Your Dinner Rolls
To keep your dinner rolls fresh, store them in an airtight container or a zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Allow the rolls to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, let them thaw at room temperature and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes! You can prepare the dough through the first rise, then punch it down, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then shape the rolls, let them rise a second time, and bake as directed.
Store cooled dinner rolls in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigerating them, as it can cause them to go stale faster. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months.
The key to soft and fluffy dinner rolls is enriched dough. Ingredients like milk, butter, and eggs add fat and tenderness to the dough, resulting in a much softer crumb than leaner bread doughs. Proper kneading to develop gluten and not overbaking are also crucial.
Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour. This extra protein helps develop more gluten, which gives the dinner rolls a chewier texture and a more stable structure for a higher rise. While all-purpose flour can work in a pinch, bread flour yields the best, fluffiest results.
The most common reason for rolls not rising is inactive or expired yeast. Another possibility is that the milk used to activate the yeast was too hot, which can kill it. Ensure your yeast is fresh and your liquid is warm (about 110°F/43°C), not hot.
The Perfect Dinner Rolls Recipe
Dinner Rolls Recipe (Fluffy, Buttery & Easy!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the melted butter, 1 egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk to combine fully.
- Gradually add the bread flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook or a wooden spoon.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes (or 6-8 minutes in a stand mixer) until it's smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Gently deflate the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and arrange in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
- Cover the pan and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Whisk together the remaining egg and water to create an egg wash. Brush it over the tops of the rolls. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Immediately brush the hot rolls with additional melted butter. Serve warm.
Notes
You can make the dough ahead of time. After the first rise, punch it down, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this dinner rolls recipe! There’s simply nothing better than a warm, buttery roll straight from the oven. If you make them, please leave a comment below and let us know how they turned out. We’d love to see your creations, so don’t forget to share a photo on Pinterest!
